CRICKET - CUCC return from India Tour
Monday 18 January 2010
Cricketers from Cambridge University have just returned from their first ever tour of India. The trip was arranged to coincide with the visit of the Vice-Chancellor, Alison Richard, who was leading a delegation to strengthen historic links between the university and the sub-continent nation.
The 14-strong Cambridge University Cricket Club (CUCC) squad played two matches in Delhi and four in Mumbai on their 10-day tour.
The Blues got their Indian tour off to a winning start with a convincing 75-runs victory over the British High Commission's XI. In a total of 175-4, Ananya Sen smashed 73 not out from 40 balls, while Ed Pearson provided excellent support with an unbeaten forty. With the ball, Marc Rosenberg took four wickets, Michael Taylor three, and Phil Ashton two as the hosts were restricted to 100-9 from their allotted overs.
In a shortened, 20-over match against Delhi U-19s, Cambridge were restricted to 114, the last wicket falling with two balls unused. Only Marc Rosenberg, with 30, got on top of the home attack. In the field, the Blues put in a valiant effort and the Delhi batsmen had to wait until the last ball of the penultimate over to reach their target.
The Blues's last match in Delhi was at the prestigious Roshanara CC. Batting first Cambridge reached a total of 205-6 in 40 overs. Ed Pearson top-scored with 45, Phil Ashton made a run-a-ball 43, captain Akbar Ansari contributed 37 and Fred Owen –was unbeaten on 33. Unfortunately 205 proved not to be enough as the Roshanara top three got off to a flier. Tight bowling in the middle overs from Cook and Taylor brought Cambridge back into the match, but with Roshanara needing 71 from 9 overs and with wickets and a power play in hand, their victory was eventually assured.
The Blues lost three matches to their one victory during the second leg of their Indian tour. A heavy defeat to the Bombay Gymkhana had been preceded by closer affairs against Bombay University and the Cricket Club of India, while a Twenty20 win was recorded over a local club team.
The cricket trip was sponsored by pharmaceutical company, Cipla, whose director is Dr Yusuf Hamied, an alumnus of Christ's College.
